02/03/2013 19:00Halkbank ANKARA goes for first European title on Sunday2013 CEV Volleyball Cup - Men

Ankara, Turkey, March 2, 2013. One day before the final match with Italy’s Andreoli LATINA, the most representative players and head coach of Halkbank ANKARA joined a press conference in Turkey’s capital city to discuss their feelings and expectations before the last act of the 2013 CEV Volleyball Cup – Men. Halkbank edged LATINA 3:1 this past Wednesday in Italy getting the right edge for the return game coming up on Sunday at 5 pm (local time) at Baskent hall. “This is a very special moment for Halkbank and for the city of Ankara” club President Selahattin Süleymanoglu said. “We have gone a long journey and got past difficult moments to make it here. Our campaign did not start that well but have to thank the coaching staff and the players who have been working very hard to reach the final. The trophy designed for this competition has arrived in Ankara and I do hope it will stay here” he stressed.

“If you look at the results, I think Halkbank is definitely the best among the teams that participated in this year’s edition of the CEV Volleyball Cup” head coach Veselin Vukovic added. “However, I do pay much respect to Andreoli LATINA, as this team has got many experienced players and they stem from one of the strongest leagues in Europe. I am confident that on Sunday we’ll be rising the cup as I strongly believe in my players, our management as well as the coaching staff that we have put together”.

“Usually I prefer to speak after the matches” team captain Huseyin Koc pointed out. “I have been following the reports of the media and know that the expectations are really high. It would be just great to celebrate that historic moment here in Ankara, surrounded by our friends and fans, so that in the end everyone will be able to say: I also was there! I know we have a difficult match ahead but also that we can stand the strongest teams in Europe. We expect a full house for Sunday’s final with LATINA”.

“I do not have too much to add to what has been said so far” US American and 2008 Olympic champion Reid Priddy concluded. “I just want to recall that when I first met our president and the local staff, I was told that Halkbank had set high goals and wanted not simply to claim Turkey’s national league but also to go for glory in the European Cups. I am very happy that we are given the opportunity to achieve this goal. We understand and respect the quality of our opponents and we’ll start out concentrated and determined to go for another win right after the first whistle”.